The Coast Guard asks boaters to take action now as hurricane winds, degraded sea conditions and rainfall can impact areas well ahead of the storm.

"As we prepare our Coast Guard stations and personnel, we urge the public to do the same," said Capt. Holly Najarian, the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commander. "Early preparations are key to keeping you, your boat, and maritime responders safe."

We ask mariners to heed all weather alerts and local warnings and follow these tips to be prepared:

Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less susceptible to break free or to suffer damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding.

Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your vessel. Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise you on the best methods for securing your boat.

Small personal watercraft, like paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, should be secured and marked with the owner's contact information. Personal watercraft often cause unnecessary searches for emergency personnel.

When removing theEPIRBfrom your vessel, ensure it does not inadvertently activate which could signal a false alert. Furthermore, once the severe weather has passed, mariners are reminded to ensure the EPIRB devices are placed back in their vessels before use.